According to Socrates, the best way of life consists of only three things: living a virtuous life, constantly examining life, and search for knowledge. These three aspects are what draws the attention of Socrates and what draws out the purpose of the lives of the people of Athens. What is virtue? At the trial, Socrates presents to the jury what his role is as an examiner and he states, “’virtue does not come from wealth, but from virtue come wealth and all other human goods, both private and public’” (30b). In this statement, Socrates is stating what the good soul of men would say. All men of Athens are focused on wealth and fame; however, good men with good souls would gain wealth after gaining virtue. Socrates cares for the souls of the
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The answer Socrates would give is to examine life. In his times of Athens, all Socrates does is question the men around him in order to obtain answers for the best way of life for each individual. In Socrates’ Defense, he tells a story of an examination of a wise man. This man had thought himself to be wise as well as many other people. Socrates had examined this man and as a result, this politician was not wise at all. “As a result I became hated by this man and by many of those present” (21d). Although Socrates becomes hated by all these men, he does not mind the opinions of these people because he does not find fame to be important. As he moves on to the present, Socrates decides to examine Meletos in front of the jury to prove that the examination of life is far more important than the slanders presented. As Socrates talks with Meletos during the trial, Meletos seems to contradict himself. As a result, Socrates faces the men of the jury and invites them to “join me in examining, gentlemen, in what way he seems to be saying these things” (27b). He then proves to the jury that Meletos is a man who contradicts himself and is therefore providing an invalid argument to the men of Athens. Before the decision of punishment is made, Socrates tells the men once more that “the life without examination being not worth living for a man” (38a). Socrates will always continue to examine life even after death, but he does so in order to gain not just the truth and a virtuous life, but to also gain
The answer Socrates would give is to examine life. In his times of Athens, all Socrates does is question the men around him in order to obtain answers for the best way of life for each individual. In Socrates’ Defense, he tells a story of an examination of a wise man. This man had thought himself to be wise as well as many other people. Socrates had examined this man and as a result, this politician was not wise at all. “As a result I became hated by this man and by many of those present” (21d). Although Socrates becomes hated by all these men, he does not mind the opinions of these people because he does not find fame to be important. As he moves on to the present, Socrates decides to examine Meletos in front of the jury to prove that the examination of life is far more important than the slanders presented. As Socrates talks with Meletos during the trial, Meletos seems to contradict himself. As a result, Socrates faces the men of the jury and invites them to “join me in examining, gentlemen, in what way he seems to be saying these things” (27b). He then proves to the jury that Meletos is a man who contradicts himself and is therefore providing an invalid argument to the men of Athens. Before the decision of punishment is made, Socrates tells the men once more that “the life without examination being not worth living for a man” (38a). Socrates will always continue to examine life even after death, but he does so in order to gain not just the truth and a virtuous life, but to also gain